One-piece connecting or fastening apparatus inexpensively and simply manufactured

ABSTRACT

A one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The one-piece connecting apparatus is formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal and provides reliable construction. The one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle by the associated male connector structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 USC 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/771645, filed on Feb. 09, 2006, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connecting or fastening apparatusthat permits two objects to be quickly and detachably interconnected,and more particularly to a one-piece connecting apparatus that allows anobject to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensiveand simple to manufacture. The present invention also relates to anarticle of manufacture or stamp from a suitable metal material such assteel for fabricating the one-piece connecting apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of connecting apparatus have provided for the engagement anddetachable interconnection of male and female members. Apparatus formounting an object on a belt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,347,693and 5,839,173 to Applicant, which patents being hereby specificallyincorporated by reference in their entirety. In such apparatus, thefemale member defines a receptacle, and a male member has apart-circular head or button with a straight side which is slid into thereceptacle of the female member through an open-top slot past aretaining structure which projects into the entry end of the slot. Onentry into the receptacle, the head moves the retaining structure out ofthe way to permit passage. The retaining structure prevents movement ofthe head out of the receptacle in any but a single rotationalorientation of the head, and thus the female and male members aredetachably interconnected.

The known female members may be unitary, one-piece structures ormultiple piece structures, however, all known female members must beattached though various securing means to a belt clip structure forfurther mounting of an object on a belt. Female members are known to besecured to the belt clip structure by riveting the member to astiffening plate on all four corners of the member and then riveting thebelt clip structure to the stiffening plate. The process of securing afemale member to a belt clip structure though rivets and a stiffeningplate increases both the time and material cost of manufacturing, aswell as increasing the difficulty of the manufacturing process andallowing more opportunity for errors in manufacture to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved apparatusfor detachably interconnecting two objects, which avoids thedisadvantages of prior apparatus while affording additional structuraland operating advantages.

To this end, a one-piece connecting apparatus formed entirely of asingle piece of material such as formed metal provides reliableconstruction. A one-piece female connector structure is adapted forcooperation with an associated male connector structure forinterconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a singlematerial and includes a member folded into separate planes. A firstplanar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a secondplanar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectivelycooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has anaperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to aperipheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrancethat opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with themember and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion beinglaterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out ofthe receptacle.

Another object of the invention is an article of manufacture or stampfrom a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating a one-piececonnecting apparatus. The article is flat and generally rectangular inshape with two opposed long sides and two opposed short sides andincluding a V shaped cut-out disposed on a short side and a cam portionpositioned along a long side for providing a retaining structure tocooperate with the V shaped cut-out. Further included is another flatgenerally rectangular shaped second half coupled to a short side of thefirst half of the article cooperating with the first half to form a clipportion.

Important features of the invention include apparatus being of simple,economical construction, which is resistant to wear, with the provisionof an integrally formed metal, one-piece, female connecting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the inventions, theaccompanying drawings and description illustrate a preferred embodimentthereof, from which the inventions, structure, construction andoperation, and many related advantages may be readily understood andappreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of objects interconnected by prior artconnecting apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the connecting apparatus ofFIG. 1, with the objects separated and with the apparatus oriented inpreparation for connection;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the femalestructure of the connecting apparatus, taken generally along the line3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a one-piece female connector structureformed from a single material in accordance with the present inventionas adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structurefor interconnecting objects;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the one-piece female connectorstructure of FIG. 4 formed from a single material in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the one-piece female connector structure ofFIG. 4 formed from a single material in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the one-piece female connector structureof FIG. 4 illustrating the extending of the single material membersecond planar wall for folding into a separate interconnected planarwall cooperating to define the receptacle between folded first andsecond planar walls illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the one-piece female connectorstructure of FIG. 4 illustrating the forward folded first planar wallsubstantially parallel with the rearward second planar wall of FIG. 7 inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an article of manufacture or stampaccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the artto make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modescontemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications,however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Anyand all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intendedto fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a holster, generallydesignated by the numeral 10, which may be of the type for carrying amobile radio or pager or the like. The holster 10 has a rear wall 11which may be provided with a stiffening plate 12 (see FIG. 2 accordingto the prior art). The holster 10 is adapted to be carried on a belt 14by means of a hanger loop 15. The loop 15 comprises a folded-over lengthof material defining legs 16 and 17 joined by a bight 18. The distalends of the legs 16 and 17 may be joined by any suitable means, such assnaps or the like (not shown). The inner surface of the leg 16 may beprovided with a stiffening plate 19.

Referring also to prior art FIGS. 2-3, the holster 10 is adapted to bemounted on the hanger loop 15 by means of a connecting apparatus 20. Theconnecting apparatus 20 includes a male structure 21, which is fixedlysecured to the holster 10 and is adapted to mateably engage with afemale structure 30, which is fixedly secured to the hanger loop 15. Themale structure 21 includes a flat, rectangular base plate 22, which isfixedly secured to the stiffening plate 12 on the holster 10, as byrivets 23. Integral with the base plate 22 centrally thereof andprojecting outwardly therefrom is a stud 25, which includes a circularlycylindrical shank 26 integral at its distal end with a disk-like,part-circular head 27, which is coaxial with the shank 26 and istruncated along a chord thereof to define a straight side edge 28.

The female structure 30 is preferably of unitary, one-piececonstruction, having a flat, substantially planar base wall 31,including spaced-apart and coplanar upper and lower rectangular portions32 and 33 fixedly secured to the leg 16 and the stiffening plate 19 ofthe hanger loop 15, as by rivets 34. Offset forwardly a slight distancefrom the base wall 31 and substantially parallel thereto is a generallyrectangular, flat, planar front wall 35, joined at its upper and loweredges to the lower and upper edges, respectively, of the base wallportions 32 and 33 by short rectangular shoulders 36 and 37. The uppershoulder 36 is cut away in a central region thereof to define anentrance slot 38 which opens into a receptacle 39. An elongated aperture40 is formed in the front wall 35, the upper end of which opens at theentrance slot 38, and the lower end of which is defined by an arcuateseat 41. The aperture 40 has straight side edges which, respectively,extend from the opposite ends of the seat 41 to the shoulder 36 and theentrance slot 38.

Also formed through the front wall 35 is a generally V-shaped slot 44,the legs of which are spaced laterally from and extends substantiallyparallel aperture 40. The slot 44 serves to define a cam tab 45, whichis generally triangular in shape, having an outer cam surface 46 and aninclined distal end, and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a shortflange 48. The cam tab 45 is bent out of the plane of the front wall 35toward the base wall 31, so that the distal tip of the cam tab 45 liessubstantially in the plane of the base wall 31 (see FIG. 3). Theright-hand leg of the slot 44 cooperates with the aperture 40 to definetherebetween a stop finger 49. Unitary with the upper portion 32 of thebase wall 31 and depending from the lower edge thereof in the planethereof is an elongated backing arm 50, which is shaped similar to andaligned with the aperture 40. The receptacle 39 is generally the spacebetween the front wall 35 and the backing arm 50. The female structure30 is mounted on the hanger loop 15 so that, in use, the receptacle 39will open upwardly when the hanger loop 15 is mounted on the belt 14 ofa user. Thus, the female structure 30 defines an open-top or top-loadingreceptacle 39.

With reference to FIGS. 4-8 and particularly the perspective view ofFIG. 4, a one-piece female connector structure 100 formed from a singlematerial member is shown in accordance with the present describedembodiment as adapted for cooperation with discussed associated maleconnector structures for interconnecting objects with reliableconstruction. The structure 100 is formed entirely of a single piece ofmaterial such as a formed metal, and includes its member folded intoseparate planes. A suitable metal material such as steel is used as themember from which the structure 100 is formed. In the preferredembodiments, each of the male and female structures is preferably formedof a suitable metal, such as a suitable die cut steel, although it willbe appreciated that other materials could be used.

A first planar wall 102 is interconnected and substantially parallelwith a second planar wall 104, such that the first wall 102 and thesecond wall 104 respectively cooperate to define a receptacle 106therebetween. The first wall 102 has an aperture 108 thereincommunicating with the receptacle 106 and extending to its peripheraledge, and the first wall 102 has an entrance that opens at theperipheral edge of the first wall 102 as a generally V-shaped slot. Theaperture 108 defines a seat opposite the entrance opening at theperipheral edge of the first wall 102. A cam portion 110 is formed withthe member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion beinglaterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out ofthe receptacle by the associated male connector structure. The camportion 110 may be formed with the folded first wall 102 as illustratedwith the cam portion 110 residing on the first wall 102 and inclinedfrom the plane of said first wall 102 into the receptacle 106 and towardthe plane of the second wall 104. Alternately the cam portion 110 may beformed with the folded second wall 104 of the metal member forming theone-piece female connector structure 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevational view of the structure 100, andFIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof formed from the single material inaccordance with the present described embodiment. The metal member ofthe present described embodiment for the one-piece female connectorstructure 100 is formed by folding approximately 180 degrees into theseparate planes. To this end the perspective view of FIG. 7 shows theone-piece female connector structure 100 with dashed lines extending thesingle material member second planar wall for folding into a separateinterconnected planar wall cooperating to define the receptacle betweenfolded first and second planar walls illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8.With reference to FIG. 5, the second wall of the member is furtherextended and folded into a third planar wall 112 residing in a thirdplane separate from said first and second planar walls 102, 104, withthe third planar wall 112 providing for securing the structure for useby a user. Thus, the second wall can be folded approximately 180 degreesinto the third planar wall as being provided for securing. The thirdplanar wall 112 is thus formed by folding approximately 180 degrees intothe separate plane to provide a hanger loop or the like for mounting ona user's belt for use.

Referring to FIG. 8, a front elevational view of the one-piece femaleconnector structure 100 is shown illustrating the forward folded firstplanar wall 102 substantially parallel with the rearward second planarwall 104 in accordance with the present described embodiment. As shown,the aperture 108 defines the seat opposite the entrance as a generallyV-shaped slot, with the first wall 102 including a pair of guide edgesextending along side the aperture 108 from said seat opposite theentrance.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of an article of manufacture or stamp200 from a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating aone-piece female connecting apparatus according to the present describedembodiment. The article or stamp 200 is generally divided into two flatgenerally rectangular halves including a first half or first member 202and a second half or second member 204.

The first half or first member 202 has first and second opposed longsides 206 and 208 respectfully, and third and fourth opposed short sides210 and 212 respectfully. The short side 210 of first half or member 202is coupled to second half or member 204, and a generally V shapedcut-out is disposed on the peripheral edge of short side 212 oppositeshort side 210 and generally centered along side 212, as seen in FIG. 9.Alternatively, second half 204 can be coupled to either short side 210or 212, and the generally V shaped cut out can also be on either shortside 210 or 212.

A cut-out forming a cam portion 214 is disposed on the first half 202laterally offset toward one of the long sides 206 or 208 for providing aretaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out. Asdescribed, the article or stamp 200 includes the member 202 having thegenerally V shaped cut-out disposed on the peripheral edge of one of thethird or fourth opposed short sides, with the cam portion laterallyoffset along one of the first or second long sides for providing aretaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out. Asseen in FIG. 9, the cam portion 214 is positioned along side 208 andwholly disposed to one side of the horizontal mid line (M) of first half202 opposite the generally V shaped cut-out. Additionally, a cut-outforming a guide portion 215 may be disposed adjacent the cam portion 214for providing a guiding structure to also cooperate with the generally Vshaped cut-out.

The first half 202 may taper along the first and second long sides fromthe third and forth short sides toward the horizontal mid line (M), asseen in FIG. 9. Further, the first half 202 is capable of foldingapproximately 180 degrees at the horizontal mid line (M) creating twoseparate planes which cooperate with each other to define a receptacletherebetween and wherein the cam portion 214 extends into thereceptacle. Additionally, small circular shaped cut-outs may be includedand located generally at each of the four corners of the first half 202,such that the circular cut-outs align in groups of two when the firsthalf 202 is folded.

Second half or second member 204 has first and second opposed long sides216 and 218 respectfully, and first and second opposed short sides, 220and 222 respectfully. The generally rectangular second half or member204 may be narrower than the generally rectangular first half 202, asseen in FIG. 9, and is capable of being folded to create a third planecooperating with the first half 202 to form a clip portion. First half202 and/or second half 204 may comprise a suitable metal material, suchas steel, etc., and first and second halves 202 and 204 respectfully,may also be formed entirely of a single piece of metal or steel, as seenin FIG. 9.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided animproved connecting apparatus of simple and economical construction.While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appendedclaims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in theforegoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way ofillustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of theinvention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewedin their proper perspective based on the prior art.

1. A one-piece female connector structure adapted for cooperation withan associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects, saidfemale structure being formed from a single material and comprising: amember folded into separate planes with a first planar wallinterconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall,said first wall and said second wall respectively cooperating to definea receptacle therebetween; said first wall having an aperture thereincommunicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge ofsaid first wall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheraledge; and a cam portion formed with said member and extending into thereceptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of theaperture.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said member comprises asuitable metal material.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein saidmember is folded approximately 180 degrees into said separate planes. 4.The structure of claim 1, wherein said aperture defines a seat oppositesaid entrance.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein said aperturedefines a seat opposite said entrance, said first wall including a guideedge extending along one side of said aperture from said seat to saidentrance opposite said cam portion.
 6. The structure of claim 1, whereinsaid second wall of said member is further extended and folded into athird planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first andsecond planar walls, said third planar wall being provided for securingthe structure for use by a user.
 7. The structure of claim 1, whereinsaid second wall of said member is further extended and folded into athird planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first andsecond planar walls, said third planar wall being provided as a hangerloop for mounting on a user's belt for use.
 8. The structure of claim 1,wherein said cam portion is formed with the folded first wall of saidmember, said cam portion residing on said first wall inclined from theplane of said first wall into the receptacle and toward the plane of thesecond wall.
 9. The structure of claim 1, wherein said cam portion isformed with the folded second wall of said member, said cam portionresiding on said second wall inclined from the plane of said second wallinto the receptacle and toward the plane of the first wall.
 10. Anarticle comprising: a member having a flat generally rectangular shapeincluding first and second opposed long sides and third and fourthopposed short sides; a generally V shaped cut-out disposed on aperipheral edge of one of the third or fourth opposed short sides; and acam portion laterally offset along one of the first or second long sidesfor providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the generally Vshaped cut-out.
 11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the camportion is wholly disposed to one side of a horizontal mid line of themember opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.
 12. The articleaccording to claim 10, further comprising a second member having a flatgenerally rectangular shape and including two opposed long sides and twoopposed short sides, wherein one of said short sides of the secondmember is coupled to one of said third or fourth short sides of themember opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.
 13. The articleaccording to claim 12, wherein said article comprises a suitable metalmaterial.
 14. The article according to claim 11, wherein the member isfolded approximately 180 degrees at the horizontal mid line creating twoseparate planes which cooperate with each other to define a receptacletherebetween and wherein the cam portion extends into the receptacle.15. The article according to claim 12, wherein the second member isfolded to create a third plane cooperating with the member to form aclip portion.
 16. The article according to claim 12, further comprisinga small circular shaped cut-out located generally at each of the fourcorners of the member wherein the circular cut-outs align in groups oftwo when the member is folded.
 17. The article according to claim 12,wherein the second member is narrower than the member.
 18. The articleaccording to claim 12, wherein the member tapers along the first andsecond long sides from the third and fourth short sides toward thehorizontal mid line.
 19. A one-piece female connector structure adaptedfor cooperation with an associated male connector structure forinterconnecting objects, said female structure being formed from asingle material and comprising: a member folded approximately 180degrees into separate planes with a first planar wall interconnected andsubstantially parallel with a second planar wall, said first wall andsaid second wall respectively cooperating to define a receptacletherebetween; said first wall having an aperture therein communicatingwith the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of said firstwall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheral edge; saidsecond wall of said member being further extended and foldedapproximately 180 degrees into a third planar wall residing in a thirdplane separate from said first and second planar walls, said thirdplanar wall being provided for securing the structure for use by a user;and a cam portion formed with said member and extending into thereceptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of theaperture.
 20. The structure of claim 19, wherein said third planar wallis provided as a hanger loop for mounting on a user's belt for use.